Parental Responsibility – a Rose by any Other Name...

Terminology and Content

Abstract

Parental responsibility is among the key questions in family law—what should it be called and how should it be approached? Considering various countries, there is evidently no clear consensus. Ultimately, regardless of the label attached—be it parental care, parental authority, parental responsibility, or parental rights and obligations—the driving principle must be the best interest of the child. Is it possible, or even feasible, to come to a terminological and systematic unity across different national legislations? Does it even matter how we refer to this concept, as long as the contents are up to par? The following study is devoted to a systematic and terminological problem concerning one of the most important types of family law relations—the rights and obligations of parents. In this field, Slovak family law shows a certain underdevelopment, especially in relation to European legislation.